Safety starting crank for internal-combustion engines



v May 31, 1927.

1,630,595 A. E. BABcoqK v SAFETY'STARTING CRANK FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. 16, 1 926 2 Sheets-$het l 1 o 1 I w amen cow N i E] ZEBaZaocfi 1 630,595 May 31, 1927. A. E BA'BCOCK SAFET STARTING CRANK FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet v gnmntoz flEB aZ000% Patented May 31, 1927. i

ARELH'UR E. BABGOCK, OF DOLGRES, CDLOB ADO.

SAFETY STARTING CRANK FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed September 16, 19536. Serial No. 135,921.

This invention relates to safety starting cranks for internal. combustion engines and more particularly to a device of this character which will elfectually prevent injury to the operator in event of a kick of the engine.

A further and more specific object ofthe invention is to provide a starting crank, the handle portion of which is so constructed that it may twist and dispose itself at an angle other than the ordinary angle to the remainder ot the crank, together with means whereby this twisting action serves to disconnect the handle portion of the crank from the engine engaging poron thcreot. when the engine is operating in a direction opposite to that in which it ordinarily operates.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a starting crank for engines embodying an engine engaging portion and a hand engaged portion connected by a ratchet mechanism. the hand engaged portion being capable of a limited rotative movement in its connection with the engine engaging portion and having associated therewith a cam. releasing the dogs of the ratchet mechanism. so that the handle is freed from the engine en aging portion by such twisting movement.

A still further object of the invention is to so construct the handle that any tendency of the engine to kick will naturally produce a twisting motion, which disconnects the engine and hand engaged portion of the crank.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crank constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the connection between the shaft and hand engaged portions of the crank;

Figure 8 is a section at right angles to that shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4. is a section on the line Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the ll- 4 of 7 socket.

present instance, the crank receiving portion is disclosed as l'iaving angular slots 13 in which a pin lacarried by the inner end of the shatt engages. It will be obvious that if the engine shaft rotates in the direc- 'tion of the arrow of Figure 3, the pitch of these slots will tend to retain the pin within the slots and cause the crank 10 to rotate. This reverse rotation often causes injury to the operator.

In accordance with my invention, I provide the outer end of the shaft 10 with a ratchet 15 and rotatably mount upon this outer end a crank including an arm 16 having pawls 17 and 18 which are spring pressed for engagement with the teeth of the ratchet at opposite sides thereof. Upon the arm I rotatahly mount a cam sleeve 19 for control ling these pawls. The end of the'arm 16 is provided will a socket for the reception of an extension 20 of the arm. The eX- tension 20 is rotatable within the socket and has secured thereto a pin 21 operating through a slot 22 formed in the wall of the The outer end of this pin engages the cam sleeve 19, so that as the extension 20 is rotated, the cam sleeve 19 will be r0- tated. The rotation of the cam sleeve 19 is just sullicent to disengage the pawl 17 from the ratchet. When the cam sleeve is at one limit of its movement. the pawl 17 is disengaged and when it is at the opposite limit of its movement both pawls 17 and 18 are engaged and the arm 16 is locked to the shaft 10. At the lower end of the extension 20, I provide an angular portion 23 having a rotatable hand grip 2 1 which, in the normal position of the extension 20, substantially parallels the crank 10. hen the handle is in its normal position, the shaft 10 is locked to the arm 16 and the extension 20 and in this position. the device is held while cranking the engine. If, during cranking of the engine. the engine baclefires, there will be a tendency of the shaft 10 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3, and to carry with it the arm 16 and its extension 20. Since the hand of the operator will be engaged with the hand grip, this will offer resistance to movement of the hand grip with the result that the extension 20 will rotate upon its longitudinal axis. This rotation will shift the ram sleeve 19, disengaging the pawl 17 and permitting, the shaft to rotate Without obsastruclion from the arm 16. It is thus impossible for the engine to transmit a hiclc to the crank which will endanger the operator and the operator is enabled to retain his hold upon the crank at all times. It is of course. obvious that the injuries, resulting: from kiclrs of the engine are due to the fact that the engine imparts an impulse to the crank which tears the crank from the hand of theoperator and causes the crank to swing violently around the part thereof corresponding to theshaft 10. This is, of course absolutely avoided by use of my construction. m

Since the construction hercinbcfore set forth are obviously capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 5- 1. In a device of the type described, a shaft adapted at one end forengagement with the shaft of an internal combustion engine, an arm rotatably mounted upon the outer end of the shaft and provided at its free end with an angular extension affording a hand grip, means connecting the arm and shaft preventing relative rotation thereof urine, :1 0 "mil; for rotating the shaft comp! ment of the handle rotating 11 arm in one direction, disconnecting the shalt and crank to permit rotation of the shaft with relation to the crank.

In a device of the type dcscrihcih a shaft adapted at one end, for engagement with the shaft of an internal combustion en ing an arm and an angular extension on sanl arm forminga hand grip. said arm being formed in two relatively rotatable sections one of which is rotatahlv engaged with the opposite end of the shaft and the other oil which bears said hand grip, a ratchet nierhanism COIU'IOClBlnQ the shaft and the first named section of thearnl including a pawl carried by the arm. a cam for disengaging said pawl to render the same inorwrati're and a connection between the can] and the last named section of the arnn shifting the can] to disengage thepan'l when thearni is rotated.

In testimony whereof I lnrrounlo allir: my signature.

ARTHUR BABGOCK.

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